SAACI welcomes the reopening of South Africa’s international borders. We believe that further consultation with Government to understand the methodology used to define the list of high-risk countries, from which leisure travellers will not be permitted to travel to South Africa, with the exception of business travellers with scarce skills, diplomats, investors, and those participating in sports and other special events, is needed. Travellers from Africa, as well as countries deemed medium and low-risk countries will be allowed to enter South Africa for both business and leisure. The list will also be re-assessed every two weeks.
CEO, Glenton de Kock, told Tourism Update that the business events industry was also cyclical. “For any business event you need certainty across the board regarding dates and market access.”
He agreed that Government needed to fully understand the nature of the Business and Leisure Travel Sector. “And for that to happen there needs to be a closer collaboration and consultations with the Private Sector.”
De Kock was also concerned about the lack of co-ordination between Government Departments in delivering the message. “It potentially sends the message that Destination South Africa is not ready to welcome tourists. We have put a lot of work into ensuring that we are ready,” he said.
SAACI is in support of the reopening date and we will continue engaging Government, to ensure that the understanding of a phased reopening introduces complexities and uncertainties that reduce demand and disrupt business cycles.
Event Safety Re-Opening Guidelines: Health and Hygiene Safety Protocols
SAACI continues to encourage members and the Business Events Industry to follow stringent health and safety protocols. We have shared the Events Safety Re-opening Guidelines to be used as a guide for members planning and executing Business Events, in the coming weeks. In acknowledging that our operating environment is fluid, we encourage members to follow the 4 cornerstones, as the pillars in managing COVID-19 with the Risk Assessment and control measures determined falling within these 4 cornerstones.
- Social Distancing
- Protect and Detect
- Communication with contact tracing
- Cleaning & Hygiene
Re-Opening Guidelines Presentation:
https://sway.office.com/HrUqXcotxZW6U91N?ref=Link&loc=mysways
In the planning for the SAACI Proof of Concept Event held in July 2020, we engaged with the following City Disaster Management or Event Officers in our preparations, which may assist members should you require clarity for events going forward:
| Captain PL Khoza
SA Police Services PHQ Operational Command Centre Sub Section Commander: Major Events KwaZulu Natal
|
Kithi Ngesi Director: Beaches, Resorts and Events Management
Directorate: Sport, Recreation, Arts and Cultures (SRAC) Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
|
| Itumeleng Mankge
Deputy Director: Event Compliance 11th Floor A Block, Metro Center, 158 Civic Boulevard Road, Braamfontein
|
Denzel Burgess Acting Executive Director: Events Management
1st Floor South, Tshwane House, 320 Madiba Street, Pretoria
|
| eThekwini Municipality
Archel Somaroo
|
Terence Isaacs
Head: Filming & Event Permitting 10th Floor, Tower Block, Civic Centre 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town Terence.Isaacs@capetown.gov.za
|
National SAACI AGM – Thursday, 22 October 2020
The Notification for the 27th Annual General Meeting was circulated on 1st October 2020 to members. The meeting will be held at 16:00-17:30 on Thursday, 22 October 2020, as a Hybrid Event and streaming online and to venues which will be shared in the coming week.
The closing date for RSVPs is Thursday, 15 October 2020 at 12:00 – please email Alshanthe Smith on members@saaci.org.
As always, we implore our members to keep safe, and stay in touch,
The SAACI Team
